A. Cataldi - Statue, Mietitrice con spighe e falcetto - 35 cm - Earthenware

Beautiful terracotta sculpture of a Reaper, polychrome, modeled or cast in a mold, finished and cold-patinated with metallic and wax pigments to imitate ancient bronze.
Era: Early 20th century, in the style of 19th-century Realism with evident influences of Art Nouveau (known in Italy as Liberty) due to the sinuous flow of the drapery and the naturalistic patina. The visible signature is A. Cataldi / Gataldi and the date is unfortunately unreadable.
Conditions: without breaks or repairs, small signs of wear such as a slight loss of patina on exposed areas, like the cap.
The work powerfully celebrates the dignity and pride of field labor. The figure represents a young peasant (Reaper) in a standing pose: under the right arm she clasps a tight sheaf of recently harvested wheat, while in the left hand she firmly holds a small sickle for harvesting.
The terracotta work allows appreciation of details modeled with excellent softness, particularly in the wide sleeves of the blouse and the heavy drapery of the wind-blown skirt. To further enhance the sculpture is the fine contemporaneous polychrome patination with a metallic effect, enriched by dark green shades and brown reflections that masterfully simulate the appearance of cast bronze.